ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a brief historical background and a description of major events in Antigua and Barbuda. It also provides basic political, economic, and social data arranged in the following categories: polity, economy, population, purchasing power parities (PPP), life expectancy, ethnic groups, capital, political rights, civil liberties, and status. The chapter discusses the progress and decline of political rights and civil liberties in Antigua and Barbuda. In 2001, the government of Prime Minister Lester Bird made good on its promise to improve the regulation of Antigua and Barbuda's booming offshore financial center, and was awarded a stamp of approval from the United States. Antigua and Barbuda is a member of the Commonwealth. The British monarchy is represented by a governor-general. The islands gained independence in 1981. The islands' security forces are composed of the police and the small Antigua and Barbuda Defence Forces.
